By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

DEXTER, Mo. - After many late nights, early mornings, and hard-fought contests, the winter sports season has finally come to a close.  Awards, honors, and the coveted “D” athletic letters were given out Monday, March 7, night during Dexter High School’s annual Winter Sports Banquet.

After brief opening remarks from DHS Athletic Director Chuck Powers, the floor was given to Lady Bearcat Basketball head coach Chad Allen.  Allen’s young squad, who typically started at least three freshman, finished their season with an impressive 17-9 record, along with a District Championship.  Allen cited the young ladies’ work ethic and determination as key components of the group’s success.

“We started out rough, and I thought it would be a long season after opening at the Farmington Tournament,” Allen commented.  “Despite that adversity, our girls never gave up.  They always played hard, and never lost faith in themselves.”


After being eliminated by Farmington in the State Sectional Tournament, Allen seemed hopeful about the Lady ‘Cats’ future.

“I think we’ve got a great shot at winning our district next year, and hopefully advancing to the Quarterfinals,” Allen said.  “It won’t be an easy road, but as long as they keep up the hard work, I expect great things from this group.”


Every member of the squad lettered, with Raezheem Miller, Taylor Owens, Kendra Stevenson, and Mollie Whitehead each receiving their first athletic letter.

The Lady ‘Cats give out four individual awards at the end of each season, with Katelynn Frazier winning the Defensive Award, Brittany Harris winning the Rebound Award, with a 9.8 rebounds per game average, and Team MVP, and Whitehead winning the Free-Throw Award, with a 73% effort from the line.

The freshman Bearcat boys basketball team ended the season with a 7-5 record, with big come-from-behind wins over Poplar Bluff and Sikeston.  The young ‘Cats also won the Poplar Bluff Freshman Tournament.


The JV boys basketball team ended their season with a 10-9 effort.  The JV ‘Cats had several close games, and could have easily had a better record. 


“We had four games decided by two or three points,” head coach Shawn Guethle commented, “so we could easily have finished with 13 or 14 wins, but I’m proud of our guys’ effort.  They played well, played hard, and I’m excited to see some of these guys up on varsity next season.”

The Varsity boys finished their season at the 14-12 mark.  Head coach Rob Nichols bragged on his squad’s hard work and grit on the court.


“Three of our six seniors missed several games due to injuries or illness,” Nichols commented.  “Its hard being injured during your senior year, and sometimes it seems easier to throw in the towel and say ‘It just wasn’t meant to be’, but none of these guys did.  It just speaks to the integrity of these seniors.  When they leave DHS, they’ll do positive things wherever they go; they’ll do things that you’ll all be proud of.”

All 11 members of the squad lettered.  Alan Flannigan took home the Free-Throw Award, with a 75% effort on the season, the Rebound Award, averaging 12.52 a game, and Team MVP, averaging 22 points per game.  Flannigan broke the single-season record for rebound average, which had been in place since 1976, and ended his career as a Bearcat with over 1,400 points and 700 boards.  Jake Cox won the Defensive Award.

The Kickin’ Cats dance team also lettered every member of the squad.  Coach Mauri Kennedy credited the girls’ effort, with 10 new members and nine seniors, as well as the team’s supportive parents, on another great season.

Head coach Michelle Kirkley gave high praise to her 11 varsity cheerleaders and their families. 


“These are 11 of the finest young ladies I’ve ever worked with, and 11 of the most supportive sets of parents I’ve ever seen,” Kirkely said.  “It was a fantastic year.  I’m going to miss my two seniors, but I’m excited about another year with these nine ladies.”

All 11 of the basketball cheerleaders lettered.  The squad was named champions of the Stoddard County Tournament, and finished fifth (out of 19 squads) at state.  Madison Pixley, Ashely Mick, Jessica Norman, Taylor Martin, McKenzie Mitchell, and Sydney Graves were all named to the All-County Cheer squad, with Pixley and Mitchell making their third and second consecutive appearances on the squad, respectively.

“Our record doesn’t quite show the quality of a team we had this year,” head wrestling coach Rick Schwab said of his team.  “We fought a lot of injuries and sickness this year.  We ended up 8-5 in duels, had three medalists at the Tiger Classic, and five medalists at the SEMO Conference tournament.  We took sixth place at districts, had four state-qualifiers, and one state medalist, the first since we moved into Class 2 in 2004.”

Cody Stevens, Trevor Waldner, Zach Lacy, and Dylan Hardin were four of the 17 of the Dexter grapplers who lettered, and all four advanced to the State Tournament.  Waldner was the first freshman to qualify for the tournament since 2004, and Stevens won the sixth-place medal at the 160 pound weight class.


The wrestlers give out three awards for the season - Most Improved, Most Aggressive, and Team MVP - with Stevens taking all three home. 


It’s been another great season for Bearcat athletics, and everyone at the ShowMe Times looks forward to another great season next year! Make sure to keep checking back with the ShowMe Times for all your Bearcat athletics stories and updates!

Photos above
Top Photo: Six Bearcat athletes were recognized with individual awards at Monday evening's Winter Sports Banquet. Atheletes include (front row, from left) Cody Stevens, Most Improved Wrestler, Most Aggressive Wrestler, and Team MVP; Alan Flannigan, Rebound Award, Free-Throw Award, Team MVP; Jake Cox, Defensive Award; (back row, from left) Katelynn Frazier, Defensive Award; Brittany Harris, Rebound Award and Team MVP; and Mollie Whitehead, Free-Throw Award. (ShowMe Times photo by Andrew Cato)

Dexter, MO:  The 10th Annual BA All-Star Extravaganza announced this year’s All-Star Players & Teams during KFVS sports with Todd Richards on Monday, March 7th.

The Extravaganza will be held Saturday, April 2, 2011 in the Bearcat Event Center in Dexter, MO. The fun filled day will highlight high school seniors nominated and voted on by coaches and athletic directors from 65 area schools. The all star Volleyball teams will compete starting at 9 am followed by the Class 1 & 2 Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball and Class 3, 4 & 5 Boys basketball games. Also included throughout the day are skills competitions and the popular 3 point shoot out and slam dunk competition sponsored by the Bank of Advance.

Following the day’s games & competitions, the All-Star Extravaganza will close with the Awards Presentation, also taking place in the Bearcat Event Center. Players, coaches and area schools will be recognized and the event will feature guest speaker, Scott Kruse, Dexter Native, educator and founder of the 18 Fore Life Foundation.

The activities at the Bearcat Event Center are open to the public. Please join us as we salute the talents of our area High Schools Seniors.

Dexter Aces Ace St. Louis Tournament!

Dexter Aces 5th Grade Travel Volleyball Team celebrated its first place win last Saturday at the Mayors Cup in St. Louis. The team also placed first February 12th in the Mardi Gras Tournament in St. Louis. Team members include (back row, from left) Nicole Sells, Madelyn Webb, Bailee Williams, Morgan Aldridge, Addie Kruse; (front row) Maci Daniels, Lexie Barnes, and Rhylan Hillis. The team is coached by April Aldridge, Jennifer Barnes, and Casey Williams. Submitted by Coaches Aldridge and Barnes

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

PARK HILLS, Mo. - The stage was set for the Lady Bearcats to advance in the State Tournament Wednesday (March 2) night at Mineral Area College. All the young Lady ‘Cats had to do was get past a seasoned Farmington Knightette team. Despite a slow first quarter and getting dominated on the glass all night, the Lady ‘Cats were able to play with Farmington for the last three quarters, but Farmington came out on top with a 68-44 final score.

Hannah Noe started the game with a three-point play for the Lady ‘Cats at the 7:25 mark, but Farmington was able to put up 12 unanswered points in the next three minutes. A 12-footer from Brittany Harris ended the Knightette scoring spree and set the score at 13-5 with 4:40 left in the first. Brittany Gladbach hit a deep trey for Farmington at the 4:10 mark, and teammate Tayhlor Milfeld followed suit with 1:00 left in the first quarter. With a 24-7 Farmington lead after one, the Lady’ Cats had to pick up their play or face a blowout.

Rachel Williams was a force to be reckoned with during the second quarter, putting up nine points, four rebounds, and a block in the frame. Harris provided most of Dexter’s offense, putting up six of the Lady ‘Cats‘ nine points in the frame. Dexter’s defense showed up in the second quarter, with Alison Jarrell and Harris having a steal apiece and Noe coming up with two. The Lady ‘Cats also held Farmington to 12 points in the frame - their lowest in the contest. Despite a solid defensive effort in the quarter, the Knightettes held a bit 19-point lead going into halftime.

Brittany Gladbach hit a three for Farmington on their first possession of the second half, and helping the Knightettes put up another nine unanswered. A Mollie Whitehead free-throw at the 5:20 mark ended the scoring spree, and Erika Cobb hit a 12-footer on the ensuing possesion. Noe drained a three for the Lady ‘Cats with 3:45 left in the third. Whitehead had a block with just over 2:00 left on the clock. Harris fouled out for the ‘Lady Cats during the last minute of the frame, but Jarrell hit her only three of the contest with time expiring to cut the Knightette lead to 21 points.

Farmington’s free-throw shooting skills were put on display in the closing quarter of the contest, but the Knightettes were able to connect on seven of their eight attempts. Paige Patterson led the way for the Lady ‘Cats in the fourth, putting up five points and hauling in three rebounds in the frame. Katelynn Frazier came up with a steal and took it the length of the floor for an easy bucket with 3:30 left in the contest, but the ‘Lady Cats couldn’t get any offensive consistency in the frame. The Knightettes found themselves on top after the final buzzer, winning by 24 points and advancing to the next round of the tournament.

“They [Farmington] did a great job of getting out on us early and taking advantage of our mistakes,” LBB head coach Chad Allen said after the loss. “They’re a veteran team with a lot of seniors. Farmington seemed a lot more fluid and got the ball inside to their bigs since the last time we played them. They looked like the best team we’ve played all year, and they’ll go far.”

Allen noted foul trouble and a slow start in the first half as key factors in the loss.

“We got into foul trouble early, especially Brittany [Harris],” Allen continued. “I thought that was a big part of it. Overall, I just felt like we didn’t come out and compete hard at the beginning of the game.”



 Despite a dissapointing loss to end a great 2010-2011 season, the Lady ‘Cats ended with an 18-10 record. Allen seemed optimistic about this young group’s future.

“Our girls have progressed so much throughout the course of this year. They’ve definitely grown up a lot since the first game,” Allen said of his team. “I’m proud of these girls for how hard they’ve worked and how much they’ve improved. There’s never been a team to come through Dexter that was this young that got this much experience. I told them after the game to remember how this feels; we’ve gotta work harder to get better and to get beyond this point in the years to come.”

Photos above Top Photo: Hannah Noe drives to the basket during Wednesday night’s season-ending loss against Farmington.
Bottom photo: Paige Patterson (No. 32), Mollie Whitehead (No. 3) and Erika Cobb (No. 15) all battle Farmington’s Tayhlor Milfeld (No. 12) for a loose ball during the second half of Wednesday night’s action.

                                                                     

	1st Q	2nd Q	3rd Q	4th Q	FINAL
DEXTER	7	9	17	12	44
FARMINGTON	24	12	18	15	68

DEXTER: Noe-11. Harris-8. Cobb-6. Jarrell-5. Frazier-5. Patterson-5. Whitehead-4.

FARMINGTON: Williams-23. Ankrom-16. Littrell-10. Gladbach-8. Hicks-4. Milfeld-3. Peterson-2. Porter-2.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

Dexter's Lady Bearcats will take to the Mineral Area College Court Wednesday night to try their jousting skills against the Farmington Knightettes.

The Lady ‘Cats put together a season of epic proportions that culminated in something that many thought would never happen - a district title.

Dexter’s roster consists of one senior, one junior, two sophomores, and seven freshman, and the Lady ‘Cats will typically start at least two - most nights three - freshman in any given game.

Dexter goes into Wednesday night’s contest coming off a close 56-52 win over rival Notre Dame for the District 1 Title. With a solid 18-9 record, LBB head coach Chad Allen has great faith in his team’s ability.

“They don’t put their heads down, and they never give up,” Allen said of his team. “They don’t play like freshman and sophomores anymore - they play like juniors and seniors. They’ve definitely grown up a lot this year. Early on in the season, we played weak. I think, overall, they’ve become more aggressive and played stronger throughout the season. I also feel like they’ve gained a lot more confidence. Moving from eighth grade ball to varsity ball is a huge jump. The speed of the game, the physicality of the game, it all changes. We’ve also cut down on turnovers a lot. They’re more patient on offense and playing better as a team now. As the season’s gone on, it just seems like they keep on improving. They’re focused and ready to go. ”

The Lady ‘Cats have been led all season by the one-two punch of sophomore Brittany Harris and freshman Alison Jarrell.

“Brittany’s always active on both ends,” Allen said of Harris. “She definitely gets a lot of rebounds and blocked shots, as well as some great looks inside because she is so active.”

“Alison [Jarrell], even when she misses threes, she keeps on shooting, and that’s what great shooters do,” Allen commented. “Once she knocks down a few, it really opens up the inside and gets Harris some great looks.”

The Lady ‘Cats will face off against the Farmington Knightettes to see who advances in the state bracket. The Knightettes have an impressive record of 20 wins and five losses in the 2010-2011 season.

The Knightettes forced 26 turnovers, and were led by Morgan Ankrom and Rachel Williams (with 17 and 13 points, respectively) to their fifth consecutive Class 4, District 2 title Friday (Feb. 25) night over the North County Lady Raiders.

Admission is $6.00, with no passes accepted per MSHSAA regulations. The doors will open at 5:00 p.m. for the evening’s first game between the Sikeston and Farmington boy’s teams at 6:00, with the Lady ‘Cats and Knightettes facing off in the nightcap at 7:45.

Whoever wins the girl’s game will move on to face the winner of the Notre Dame (St. Louis)-Miller Career Academy game on Saturday (March 5) at the Farmington Civic Center in Farmington, Mo.

Make sure to head to MAC Wednesday night to support your Lady ‘Cats! If you can’t make it, stay tuned to The ShowMe Times for score updates via Facebook and Twitter, and check back Thursday morning for the full story on the Lady ‘Cats game!